Within the Wu Clan, Yan Zaizen and Tao stood in a courtyard near a pond filled with white fish. Their expressions were slightly contemplative, while Yan Zaizen’s brows were furrowed in frustration, Tao’s expression was solemn.
It’s been one day since the Heavenly Tribulation event. Yan Zaizen had shocked the entire realm by fearlessly facing tribulations to free Tao from his oath. His name was now circulating far and wide, being held in higher regard than the Xiantu Emperor himself.
At this point, all elites of the realm at least knew his name. Those with deep information networks even knew of his appearance. It seemed, with a single step, Yan Zaizen ushered himself into the spotlight. Despite this, Yan Zaizen still felt conflicted inside.
One of the reasons for this conflict had to do with the jade letter given to him by the Xiantu Realm. Tao currently held it in his hands. Yan Zaizen was seeking consult from Tao on the matter. As for Bai Lufeng, his opinion didn’t truly matter in this regard. As for his other concern, it was how he acted facing heavenly punishment. It was uncharacteristically like him.
As for the letter, it was an invitation to the Xiantu Dao Trials. Unfortunately, it was in thirty-nine years from today. To cultivators at their level, thirty-nine years was a very, very short period of time.
However, the problem was traveling to different realms. Strictly speaking, the quickest method to reach the neighboring realm would take twenty years — minimum. Between each realm was an area called the Border Expanse. It was a vast amount of empty space with no ability to sustain appropriate cultivation or habitats for standard living races.
Because of this, they were caught between staying in the Xiantu Realm for forty-odd years or travel to another realm. Unfortunately, the only thing that could quicken their travel time through the Border Expanse was a realmship. A realmship could travel through the Border Expanse with phenomenal speeds by shifting through space. If they had this, they could leave and return in a short period of time.
However, in the entire Xiantu Realm, there was not a single one. This left them in this dilemma. The Xiantu Emperor’s invitation could lead to many benefits. However, if it was just an invite to the Xiantu Dao Trials, Yan Zaizen wouldn’t care. It was the Xiantu Emperor’s invitation to explore an area and obtain heaven-grade material. These were essential in constructing one’s heavenly shrine!
“Are you confident in joining this?” Tao questioned. Wherever the Xiantu Emperor would wish to explore would have dangers and many other challenges. If Yan Zaizen didn’t feel confident in gaining anything, there was very little reason to ponder on the subject.
“I’m confident.” His words were calm, but he had his suspicions on the Xiantu Emperor’s intentions. If it wasn’t dangerous, why wouldn’t he monopolize the location? Therefore, he would have to be cautious.
“In that case, it’s only forty years. That’ll be a blink to us. I can ascend in my cultivation while we wait. I believe, since a chance like this will definitely be hard to come by, you should seize it. As for our promise, we haven’t even fully explored this realm yet. We have time.” Tao softly patted Yan Zaizen on the shoulder and said. He knew this extraordinary young man held his opinions to heart. If he said they should leave, he’d leave without any question.
After all, they made a promise in the face of death.
Nodding, Yan Zaizen felt a weight lifted from his shoulder. In truth, Pinaka had some thoughts about this invitation. She felt it had to do with the Deep Mines. As someone who stayed in its walls for thousands of years in hibernation, she felt that it was very mysterious. If it wasn’t a sub-realm then it was likely the Deep Mines.
“Until then, I plan to cultivate in seclusion.” Yan Zaizen directly said. In truth, Yan Zaizen enjoyed the art of cultivation, of power, and the life it brings. Growing up, Yan Zaizen often cultivated alone. Shunned by his clan, declared to have no talent, he often cultivated arts. Outside of meeting Ya Qinqan, that was all he did.
Unfortunately, his talent with qi cultivation was lackluster, including his art comprehension. It was only when the Meteor Ring descended into his life that his fate changed. That he became truly powerful.
Now, he can stand before the heavens, fearless and upright! The feeling was exhilarating! He felt enlivened by his newfound strength. With this power, he could rule an entire realm!
However, he still lacked in arts and dao application. With the Heavenly Law Liquid, he can further his body cultivation. With the resources and wealth he obtained from the Asura Phantom Realm, he can progress further into the Essence Path.
He wished to further comprehend and utilize these, turn them into more power so that, in the future, he’ll never have to suffer. So that the people he cares for never has to suffer.
Tao understood Yan Zaizen’s thoughts. Therefore, he only gave his belief that this was the right path to follow. If anything, cultivating will ensure a better chance at obtaining materials with the Xiantu Emperor.
They separated. Yan Zaizen decided to give Tao and Bai Lufeng the task of returning to Presba to investigate his impersonator and bring Wu Yuanxu with them. After obtaining various talismans, pills, elixirs, and armaments from Clear Divine City’s Wu Clan’s connections, they departed.
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Standing beside Bai Lufeng was an exceptionally beautiful woman, with a graceful body and phoenix-like eyes. However, her gaze was filled with a weak glow. She was Guan Yao. After Bai Lufeng’s recovery, she swore a heavenly oath of servitude for ten thousand years for her life. Therefore, she was Bai Lufeng’s personal servant.
Yan Zaizen initially felt the time was a little harsh, but after remembering Bai Lufeng’s state, that feeling faded like a soft breeze.
Yan Zaizen gave his regards, seeing them off as they used a spatial platform for travel to Presba’s Capital. He made sure to give them proper protection and communication this time, so that if something happened, they can handle it till he arrived. As for the powerful talismans they brought with them, it should be enough to dominate the entire Fallen Stars Continent, not just Presba.
Several days later, Yan Zaizen was within chaotic space, floating within the endless ocean of darkness, he looked absent-minded. His gaze was without focus as he looked at the endless darkness, his arms were spread apart, and he let chaotic space move him about.
He recalled the memories he had before. The ones that seemed like him but also wasn’t. Also, how he acted when he looked towards the heavenly tribulation. It didn’t feel like the person who stood there was him. The total disregard for the heavens...currently, he had vast respect for them, but facing them, it was like something influenced him to treat the heavens like trash.
Then, he remembered his questions towards Pinaka about his existence. Why he had so many mysteries about him, who was he, what was he? This was messing with his thoughts, causing instability and lack of focus. In this state, he couldn’t cultivate, let alone do anything else.
“Pinaka...what am I?” Yan Zaizen’s tone was deeply emotional. Over the years, Yan Zaizen had experienced many things, both good and bad, but most of all, he knew his existence was shrouded in a mysterious haze.
“...” Pinaka didn’t reply, but her expression flickered between complex emotions. Once upon a time, Yan Zaizen and Pinaka had an agreement: To never lie. When Yan Zaizen described all the things he had experienced to try to figure out some of his mysteries, Pinaka was active until she heard one detail.
Then, she turned silent.
This one fact may seem incredibly insignificant, but when she heard it, her emotions destabilized to the point Yan Zaizen felt it.
This detail: His soul form was a squiggly line.
At first, Yan Zaizen didn’t understand the significance. Wasn’t that the rudimentary form of a normal soul form? This is what he assumed and many details informed that a soul form could be hazy and distorted. However, that’s the difference.
Hazy and distorted.
Essentially, your soul should always, always model itself off your physical appearance. As your soul cultivation increases, its clarity and purity would be enhanced. As you grow enlightened about yourself, your soul clears away any hazy and distortion. However, Yan Zaizen didn’t have that.
Yan Zaizen voice turned hoarse, “What am I?!” Pinaka’s emotions became increasingly chaotic. Yan Zaizen recalled his life.
His father. When he was only three, he was taught how to convert his developed qi from essence, taught how to hunt beasts, and how to joke around.
His mother. Her smile that seemed to brighten the world left his heart feeling warm and his mind feeling safe. Her embraces could lull him to the most peaceful sleep imaginable.
His aunt. Despite his talentless traits, she always cheered him on. Never getting angry at a single thing he did, whether stealing her undergarments or peeking on her in the bath.
His uncle. The beatings he’d receive from his hand whenever he stole from him. Being taught how to drink wine like his father. Knowing how to relax in life amidst dark days.
He recalled the time he stood at the Serene Moon Cove. The flash in his vision. The woman, the despair as she looked at the heavens, and his violent emotions of sheer bloodlust.
The time later when he recalled holding a figure drenched in blood, crying to the very heavens in absolute rage, cursing all existence!
His excitement when facing the heavens. His utter lack of respect for it at that moment. It wasn’t because of strength, but it stemmed deep within his soul. Where did that come from? It didn’t feel like him...
One was memories of himself, but what about the others? Why did he have a black hole? How come it didn’t appear on his soul form originally? What was it? What was he? He was born in the Yan Clan; he didn’t have any profound background. So how come he was so damn special?!
“WHAT AM I?!” His mind had been an utter mess since arriving in chaotic space. The event where he faced the heavens truly felt like it wasn’t him. This coupled with his flashes of memories, the oddness that was the black hole protecting his soul, and how his soul form wasn’t a blurry shape of himself until after he cultivated a soul method.
“Haaaaa...” Pinaka deeply sighed. “You’re Yan Zaizen, but...your soul...isn’t.”